The Ryan Short Family

New delta shirts at locals!!!

2010-09-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

I am super excited about our new shirts at locals!!!!

It was a FUN Birthday Party for Matthew

2010-04-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is what we have been doing!!

2009-12-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

Emma has had many dance practices... She was a mouse in "The Nutcracker"

We had Christmas with my dad and mary louise last night.... Emma got a pottery wheel... She is pumped!

Matthew has a sheriff costume... He loves to dress up!

Anderson got a golf cart with clubs and balls... He was pumped!!!

Emma and Matthew got real golf clubs!!! They love them!!!

She was so excited!!!!

Christmas Caroling!!! Emma Momma made Anderson a baby bird nest on the trailer to let him lay down!!! It was so cute... She always taken care of him!

I would say there was around 60-70 people on the trailer spreading the cheer!

Emma all bundled up!

Ryan and Anderson between songs!

Santa made a surprise visit out of one of the houses we were singing at... The kids were so thrilled!

Anderson and Kate.... eating before we went caroling!! I love this picture of them!

Emma was Mary in the Church Christmas Play!!!

Matthew was a COW in the play

Emma wins 2nd this year!!!

2009-11-14T14:22:00.000-08:00

so last year Emma Grace won 1st in the pumpkin contest at Bayou... guess what she won 2nd this year!! I am so proud of her..

This year she picked out her design a month early... She was reading a book and found a owl... and she said that is what she wanted her pumpkin to look like! Her is her pumpkin! When I say she did most of the work- here is what she did!!! I promise! Painted both base colors on her pumpkin.. Ryan then attached both pumpkins together for her... A week before she found some gold spray paint in my collection of spray paint and spray painted her fern leafs that she used for her back feathers.. We then found some white feathers in all our crafts.. she glued those on and then painted some paper yellow and glued that on the feathers and added the giggly eyes! She painted the pumpkin stick brown for the beak!

Matthew wanted to do a vampire!!! He painted his pumpkins, Ryan stacked them for him... We dressed the pumpkins in a cape and shirt.. Matthew then thumb tacked hair on top and painted his pumpkin... I then hot glued the vampire teeth on his mouth... Matthew was little upset he didn't win, but his pumpkin was really cute for a 5 year old to make!! I am very proud of him!!!

Paint Your Date!!

2009-11-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

When I say this was so much FUN, I am not lying!!! I hope you all get a chance to book a date for Paint Your Date... I laughed so hard my chest hurt! I recommend you booking a class at Locals, I promise I am not saying this because I own locals, but I saying it was so much fun!!! We had supper, dessert, and beverages available... Check out our masterpieces!!!

Delta Magazine.....

2009-10-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Delta Magazine called on Friday and asked if I would be interested in carving a pumpkin for next year fall issue.. well, um... of course, but I have been so nervous, after all it is the delta magazine (big honor) well this is the best I could do... Since I love to paint whimsical I decided to carve my pumpkin whimsical!! It has a princess barbie inside waving..

My Halloween Creatures.....

2009-10-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

These is an annual picture at our Church Halloween Carnival!!!
Captain America..... with the two cutest Indians!!!

Posing.. Anderson is really into posing for the camera these days!

Captain showing off his pipes!

Sweet Indian girl Emma Grace posing for the camera!

AnDeRsOn iS 2...

2009-10-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

For Anderson's 2nd birthday party we filled the mans room with balloons everywhere, pool full of balls, and a small jumping thing!!! It was the perfect spot to have his small party!!! The kids had a blast, the weather was GREAT!!! Yes, Anderson had a helment on... It was just 6 days after his accident.. He was acting like a crazy child with all the balls and balloons.. He needed the helment!!

Look out this cute cake by Jacki Morgan!!! She is my favorite cake lady ever!!!

We Miss Lucky!

2009-10-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Lucky is no longer with us! I caught emma today crying very hard on the swing outside... She eventually told me she was crying because she missed Lucky.. Lucky got ran over around 2 weeks ago!!! I feel so sorry for Emma, Lucky was her best friend! He lived long enough for the family to tell him bye. He was the perfect dog!!! He had one downfall.. He loved to chase cars.. The girl that hit him stopped and told us.. She was very upset!!

Mr. Raymond.. (next door neighbor) found us a baby german shepard.. He is really cute, but he is not Lucky!! Anyway, I just wanted to share some photos of our friend, Lucky..

No Helicopters, No Mules, but a 70lb mirror- YES

2009-09-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

It was a call that all parents hate to get...

The kids were staying at my dads and mary louise this weekend. They are so good with our kids!! Always taking them places, always spoiling them rotten (but isn't that what grandparents are suppose to do?) Early Saturday morning I was getting ready for Locals open house, I left Ryan at home taking a test on the Internet for the nursing home and headed to Locals. I actually called Mary Louise on the way to Locals and they didn't answer. She called me back and told me how they were in the donut shop when I called but everything was going so good- Anderson was having a blast and she was having so much fun keeping them. I was thrilled and went back to work. My phone is on silent at work because I hate for it to ring at work, but for some reason I walked by the phone and saw it ringing from Mary Lousie....

I answered the phone and heard all my kids screaming and Mary Louise trying to talk but I really couldn't understand what she was saying! All I could understand was meet me at ER, something fell on Anderson??? what.. I was still wondering what she was talking about and wondering how bad it was.. To me grandparents tend to take small cuts and blow them out of proportion... Well I told her I was on my way, I called ryan and he quit taking his test and headed to ER, I called my dad and he met us, I called Sammye Ann and she was heading that way.. In the meantime of me, my dad, and ryan waiting in the ambulance bay for Mary Louise to pull up I called her back to try to figure things out.. She was yelling that I needed to alert the ER they were almost there.. Is she for real, I keep asking... I ran inside the ER and it was packed!!! I was thinking great!!! I told the lady working the desk that my stepmother was about to pull up with my 2 year old with a head injury.. I didn't know what kind, it could be nothing or it could be major...

Still waiting, I thought maybe I should call my fav dr.. mike!! great minds think alike because little did I know ryan was calling him also on his phone.. Poor April had two crazy parents calling!!! Thanks April for getting him on the phone!! As I was talking to Mike on the phone, Mary Louise pulls up.. Ryan gets Anderson out of Emma's lap and 2 nurses and dr. are waiting- Ryan is spitting out medical terms to me to tell Mike on the phone.. All pretty fast and crazy now that I think about it!!! The nurses tell me that only one parent is allowed.. well of course I would love to be there but Ryan is the medical person in the family and I knew he would make the best medical decisions in our family, so he stayed with Anderson!

The nurse came out in the waiting room to ask what exactly happened.. Emma is still crying with Anderson's blood all over her! Matthew is wired!! Mary Louise is crying..

The nurse tells us that Anderson is in cat scan and that he will be moved to River Oaks after cat scan for a plastic surgeon to stitch him up... I started thinking wow,this is not minor then..

About that time, another nurse comes out and ask for me... Yea, I get to go back.. this is what I go back and see.. My sweet Anderson in a neck brace asleep in Ryan's lap...
The cat scan came back... He is fine!! No brain damage!! Yea, the neck brace can come off!!!
I think his pj top says it all.. Ruff Night!!!

I knew he was going to be fine when he was running around room acting like normal.. Yes, this is normal!!! I asked Ryan again, why are we going to Jackson... Remember I haven't really seen the cut! I call Mike and ask him... So then we decided we would ask ER dr. if he could stitch it up.. He said he really didn't want to do that but he would if we wanted him to do so.. While waiting Dr. Don walked by and came inside to talk to us! We love DR. DON he is the cutest little bald dr. I know.. (also, he is one of my best friend's daddy, and Ryan's partners father -in-law) He asked if he could look at it.. We untapped his bandage and he was just a looking!!! I knew it was looking bad when he leaned back and looked lost.. Remember this is old medicine dr.. I was thinking he would probably say let's put some glue on it and it will better.. well know he said, he would recommend going to jackson or calling Dr. Wright to come and put him under to stitch him up.. I am thinking what??? But they are the dr's- I am just the mom!!!

Dr. Don said he would call Dr. Wright. He explained to us, Dr. Wright might not be able to do it, and if he couldn't he go to jackson.. To our luck, Dr. Wright pulled up around 10 minutes later, walked in and said he could stitch him up with putting him under.. YEA just what I wanted to hear!!!

Ryan and nurse held his head, I held his hands and legs and Dr. Wright stitched away.. No I don't know how many stitches he has in his head all I know is my baby is okay and home!! I held him all Saturday night.. and then he slept right beside me for the first time!!!

He looks fine!!

Is his head cut open? and he is smiling???
After his stitches!!!

So the funny stories... There was a patient that got airlifted out at the same time Anderson was in ER.. No this was not Anderson getting airlifted out!!!

A mirror fell on him, not a mule!!

We stayed in Cleveland.. We were going to Jackson, but Memphis never came into the story!!

I love living in a small town, because when there is a trauma the town comes together to support the family, but it is also a little humorous the stories that get started!!! I know people really care though and it makes me feel very blessed to be a member of the Cleveland community. I love this small town...and of course, my little Anderson!!!

Thanks for all the prayers and the prayer lists you put Anderson on!! He was very lucky!!!

Having fun with DenDen

2009-08-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

yes, that is Anderson riding a motorcycle.... Calm down, he only rode down the driveway and back!!! ha, ha.. he was loving every moment!!
Getting ready for the ride!! DenDen had to ride him because he was not going to settle for sitting still! This child will be a hell raiser when he grows up.. Mark My Words!!!

Emma and Matthew got to ride down the street on the motorcycle... You think they had fun?? Anderson was screaming because he couldn't ride with them!

Leaving for the big ride!!! I think DenDen had just as much fun riding them around!!!

Locals Blog

2009-08-06T19:37:00.003-07:00

Check out the new locals blog.. I am still working on it..

www.shoplocals.blogspot.com

What do you want to be when you grow up???

2009-07-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

When Emma Grace asked me, Mom what do you want to be when you grow up? I told her, I wanted to be a mother to 3 happy and healthy children... She told me she wanted to be a vet! To be honest I have been going through many self reflections.. Analyzing everything.. I have had the most fun this summer with the kids being home. My children come first to anything that I want to be when I grow up, but my phone rang last week giving me an opportunity...

Delta Arts Alliance asked me if I was interested in being their executive director.. of course, but wait, what about Bayou?? what about my store I have been dreaming about opening, what about my kids, what about... I am so excited about the Delta Arts job, I think I will meet some wonderful and talented people... So my answer... I am the new executive director of the Delta Arts Alliance!

Also, I quit my job at Bayou... yes, I am very upset about not working there, but honestly I will have 3 children in that school next year, guess what you can't get rid of me that easy!! ha, ha!!! The school is going very good right now, it is a big happy family!!! To have kids attending is a honor!

Another adventure... guess what "Locals" will be opening on Sept 1... I honestly think I was born and raised to work retail... I am thrilled about this... It will be located here in Cleveland.. between the new Hey Joes restaurant and Kut Works.. This building is perfect!!! Perfect size!!! Construction has started on my location.. Let me tell you about locals.. It will be artwork on consignment from local delta artist.. Not just paintings, but candles, stationary, soap, sculptures, furniture,jewelry,shirts, quilts,cookbooks, Cd's, delta cookie, anything made by a local artist! I don't want anything "market" bought.. We will have a meeting room from classes to be taught from our artist, birthday parties, etc.. I am very thrilled about this and look forward to selling art and promoting art in the delta!!

How am I going to do this?? Not sure yet, but I will post on that answer ha, ha... As my friend Kay informed me.. I thrive on stress... I am starting to agree I think.. she told me this during my self reflection period..

So let me know if you are interested in selling art in "Locals", or if you are interested in working in "locals".. I will need all the help I can get!

I am working on setting up a blog for locals so watch for the address!!!

Wish me luck... if you know of anyone moving to cleveland or anywhere in the delta and they need a welcome to the delta package let me know and we can fix them up something really nice...

A hot day..

2009-07-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I love this picture... This is emma's team after game 3 of the tee ball tournament.. The team played AWESOME!!!! They were the youngest team and won one game, lost everything else by 1 or 3 points... They played at 9-10, 11:30-12:30, 1:00-2:00, 3:00-4:00, the 5 game got cancelled because that team didn't show up!! (Thank goodness, but it would have been better if we were scheduled to play them at 11 or 1?? but oh well.. we made it without anyone getting injured or passing out!!

Anderson had a blast... Everyone was feeding him, even strangers!

Resting between games

Will Jacks come to visit!!

2009-07-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the slide show from our family photo session with Will Jacks... I hope you enjoy!

http://blog.willhjacks.com/pics/short0906/showit

Daddy's Big Helper!!

2009-07-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

What is it with kids and a lawn mower??? This is Anderson's favorite spot!!! He is waving the whole time... to us, to cars passing by, that is all he does is wave!! He is going to be our politician!
What is so funny is how far we have come... and what I mean by that is, When I owned Posh, Saturdays were Daddy day with Emma Grace... Well Ryan used to mow the yard with her, no big deal right, but he mowed it with a push mower holding her at this same size!!! and the best part she would usually fall asleep and he would still hold her and mow the yard!! I think he has an easier job now??

Matthew jumping off the top of the raft!!!

2009-07-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

Matthew is our little fish... he is jumping off the top of the raft!!

Matthew's Party!!

2009-07-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Matthew's team getting their trophies at their swim party... Matthew had a blast with his team... I can't wait to watch him play next year!!

Emma's End of the Season Party!

2009-07-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

Emma Grace loved her tee ball team this year!!! Loved everyone, loved all the coaches, she had a great year!! This picture shows how great her coaches are... They are in the pool playing with the team!
the coaches let the girls push them in!!! We posed them as a team photo (letting the girls know it was okay after the picture if they wanted to turn around and push the coaches in it was fine with us!! The coaches thought it was so funny!!

We gave head coach Bubba and signed softball in a case from the team!!! I think he liked it!!

He then gave the girls these wonderful trophies!! Emma touches her everyday!! She loves her trophy!

The team and cake!!

Emma Grace had a blast!!!

2009-06-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Emma Grace played her last game yesterday and it was a good game!!! At one time they were losing 9-1 and they came back and won! Yes, they came back and won!! So Emma knowing it was her last tee ball game ever (she moves up next year) we decided we should do something fun and special for her coach, she loves Coach Bubba!!! She looked all day yesterday for a cooler she could pick up because she wanted to throw ice all over her coach! This is her sneaking behind her coach after the win!She got him!!! He was so shocked!!!

And then the whole team chased him with ice that fell to the ground!! Poor Coach Bubba!!!! But we had a fun season with him as our coach, and we had to show him how much we appreciated him!! ha, ha

Matthew playing tee ball

2009-06-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

This was Matthew's first year to play tee ball! He has lots of room for improvement but he had fun! In this picture, he is the little boy with his hat turned sideways...

Matthew has 2 more games until the end of the season..

Matthew's Day!!

2009-06-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

This is Matthew!!! we are so proud of him!! watch him go!!!

He didn't have a pretty fall!! But he had a blast...

A weekend at the lake!

2009-06-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

The third child again... Yes he is behind a running boat on the intertube with his daddy! Can you believe he is this brave? He loves the lake and tries to jump off the raft and out of the boat.. He is ready to ski, if you pass us on the lake and there is a 19 month old baby behind our boat, it's just Anderson!!

He is all waves!! He waved the whole time he was riding!!! This is when he was getting started...

The two boys watching their sister try to ski for the first time this summer!! She has gained a couple (lots) of pounds so it was hard on her, we are going to have to try a different set of skis this weekend...

Anderson is not taking his eyes off his sister... He loves it!!

Now he is driving the raft with his den-den.. I have a picture of all of my kids driving the raft with him at this age.. Their favorite hangout!

Waving at everyone- boats passing by, sister in water, Everything and Everyone... Mr. PR!!

Yes, Ryan is trying to teach me to drive his boat!!! But I agree with Emma and Matthew when they say, Mommy is the princess she just rides in the boat! So much easier to watch kids than drive, watch kids, and make sure you are not running over anyone! Ha, HA!!

The boys watching emma and Ryan intertube!

I love this picture!! So sweet!!

Look at this adorable face!!! He is going to be a heartbreaker!! "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, BABY..." Matthew's sentence at age 5!

She is Amazing!!

2009-06-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

Emma Grace loves to play tee ball... we watched the girls college national championship on ESPN and every since then she has been so motivated to catch a ball in the air. We have worked and worked in our yard on this but she seems to always drop the ball! Before the games (as I am pulling her hair up) we always talk about plays.. Like, if there is a runner on 2nd and 1st and the ball is hit close to third what needs to be done?? well she asks what if I catch a ball in the air what do I do? I told her, if you catch a ball in the air (thinking to myself, girl u are in tee ball-dream on, this never happens) you need to look at all the base runners and see if any of the players took off running and then go tag the base if they ran..
Friday night we were scheduled to play a team that has only lost once! This would be what we call in tee ball talk the team!! Ha, Ha!! They can hit the ball- oh man can they hit!! The game starts with a line drive straight to Emma, it was so fast I don't think I could have stopped it, she did stop it and then threw the ball to first! She was doing AWESOME!!! I was so proud of her!! So they hit a couple in the air close to her and she was trying really hard to catch them but just couldn't get there.. Well all of the sudden a ball is hit and she runs after it... Guess what, yes she caught that ball in the air, looked around at the players and ran after one and tagged her!! She made a double play!!! The stands went crazy, and I must say I am a little sore, because I jumped to the clouds and screamed.. I am so proud of Emma!! Yea, Emma Grace- she could stop playing now and I would be so happy!!

the third child...

2009-05-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

When Emma Grace was 19 months old I would have NEVER let her ride a ride like this.. With Matthew I can honestly say PROBABLY NOT, but with Anderson- whatever.. anything goes.. He walked in with emma and matthew and sat right in between both of them.. He acted like no big deal! If you look closely it looks like Anderson will fall out if he moves the right way.. Yes no seat belt just a bar that he could have squeezed through.. Ryan keep telling me it would be okay.. They rode this 3 times over and over, and Anderson was smiling the whole time!

This ride went high and hopped down.. It was so funny- I think my blood pressure was sky high watching them! I don't think I could have ridden it!

Anderson likes... SAND!!

2009-05-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Anderson had everyone laughing so hard.. He kept rolling and rolling in sand.. he was covered in sand.. he would stand up and fall straight into the sand.. He was having so much fun!
he then started eating the sand!

I have so many pictures of him in the sand... It was so funny!

Some of my favorite beach pictures..

2009-05-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Look at ryan and the waves...

Emma looks like a expert!!

Checking it out!

The family!!

My sunshine!

Dolphin Cruise

2009-05-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

After the dolphin cruise we went to eat at Tacky Jacks.. We sat next to a group of girls that were on the boat ride.. We were leaving and one looked at me and said, your children are so well behaved.. She made my day.. Little does she know what ?#ll, anderson put us through!! ha, ha! he was really a sweet baby on the trip, besides throwing for two days, the worst diapers I have ever seen for 4 days.. I have been changing diapers now for 7 years and I must say I have never changed them every 15 minutes... It was really bad! Ryan almost made us go to the urgent care center.. He was so worried, I kept telling him, he will be okay, maybe?? He was!!! Such a tropper! He was sick, but so happy!!
So pretty!

Zoo

2009-05-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

We spent one morning at the Zoo...
Love this hat!!!

It got cold this past week at the beach.. we had to go by sleeves at the outlet!

LuLu's..

2009-05-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Talk about some good food!!! LuLu's!! We had a blast...

This is Anderson's new face for the week!!! Ryan, Matthew, and Emma taught him how to do this.. Will Jacks will be coming soon to take family pics, I wonder if they will look like this??

Did they really leave me??

2009-05-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

The day nona left, anderson had a difficult time saying goodbye!! He didn't like it at all!! After they left he cried and cried, but then he settled down.. 15 minutes later, he went into Nona and DenDen's bedroom screaming "Nona, Nona"..
Saying Goodbye to Mary Godmother!

He wouldn't let Nona go!

The Track...

2009-05-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

Mary and Emma showing how wet they are after the water bumper rides.. Emma loves this picture!

Emma Grace had a blast driving her and Mary around and shooting water at everyone! They have such a bond!

Anderson did not care much about the water bumper ride.. He cried and cried!

Anderson and Matthew loved this ride! I can't believe how big Anderson was on these rides.. He sat still and smiled the whole time! Everyday we past the track he would be looking out his window he would start screaming because he wanted to stop there and ride! I promise it was so funny how he could spot The Track from the road..

Anderson and Matthew in the ferris wheel.. They both sat down and behaved the whole time!

The grandparents watching carefully.. I was about to have a nervous breakdown.. My baby was in a ride with his 5 year old brother by themselves.. But they were such big boys!

Emma Grace had a blast!! She is so happy all the time!

I think he rode this 4 times!!

Matthew was scared to death of the race cars.. If you look close he is crying! We made him ride this ride.. One time around the lap he was smiling from ear to ear! We knew he would love it, that is why we made him ride it!!! Sometimes he just needs a little encouragement!

She was ready to see who would lap her.. All about the competition to this little one!

One last stop at the gift shop!!!

2009-05-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Ryan's cousin Mary came with us to the beach for a couple of days.. She is Emma's godmother.. Mary Godmother! we had so much fun with her.. Anyway, this is the whole gang going to eat supper at the beach.. We didn't have enough seats (can you tell) Look at den den in the very back of the short bus.. this is so funny!!
Anderson loved going to the balcony.. This is Anderson with Nona on the balcony enjoying the sounds of the beach!

Anderson and Nona on the beach..

Mary and Anderson on the beach..

Our condo.. Westwind! we love staying here, it is so easy!!

Leaving for Vacation!

2009-05-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

The car is ready and we are ready to go to the beach.. just add a rack on the back of the short bus holding a cooler full of food and two chairs tied on top of the cooler!!!

I love this photo.. This is the first day.. they loved the beach!

Ryan's parents went with us for a couple days in the beginning.. I love this picture of Anderson meeting the beach for the first time and holding his grandparent's hands..

He didn't really like the pool that much!

So Happy!!

2009-05-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

Emma Grace has had the best year in 1st grade!!! We missed the real award's day, we went to the beach, but the the day before we left, her class had their awards day and ice cream sundae party.. All her classmates got to vote on 22 awards (they all got one) for each other.. Emma received most athletic girl! She couldn't have won a better award!! Thanks Mrs. Emily for the best year ever!!
For real awards day she received.. Straight A's for the year (headmaster's list), an art award, and a music award.. GO Emma!!

Little Boy Blue...

2009-05-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

Matthew was little boy blue at his 4k class play! All the kids said a nursery rhyme.. it was so cute! He did so good saying his poem.. We were so proud of him!

This is Matthew's girlfriend.. She was Mary had a little lamb!

Little Boy Blue loved having his daddy and den den watching his play!

and Aunt Grace and Emma...

Little Boy Blue in Action..

Isn't it beautiful!!

2009-05-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Does this mean the rain will stop?

Ryan's Air Conditioner leads to...

2009-05-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Ryan loves to raise the windows in the house.. He calls it his air conditioner.. He walks around and says is it cold?? I will cut the air off, he then closes the window a little... If you are hot, he raises the window!! Anyway, on Saturday I am getting ready to go to Jackson and I heard ryan and the kids screaming laughing, Ryan is screaming my name to come into the kitchen.. This is what I see!!! If you are wondering what this is.. Well my baby loves to sit on this bench window seat in the kitchen... yes, it is his favorite spot in the house! Well he was sitting there while his daddy had his air on.. and yes he fell through the screen... They found him covered in wet mulch!! He is lucky it was not raining at this moment.. He really was okay.. He was just trying to get back inside!

Extra Special Weekend!

2009-05-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day weekend!!! This is Aunt Grace and Sammye Ann on Mother's Day!!! We had a great lunch at our house...
We drove to Jackson to see my mom on Saturday.. This is anderson giving her a goodbye kiss.. He was so sad when she got out of the car, he cried and cried until we went inside her apartment..

Godmother Mary (ha, ha.. emma's godmother) is in town from Colorado this week.. She was here for lunch Sunday with her grandmother Grace.. We call her aunt grace! They are both so sweet and cute!

Sammye ann with dan and ryan on Mother's day...

Emma Grace and I with my mom at Red Lobster in Jackson!!! We took her out to eat for mother's day..

Rain Rain Go AWAY!!!

2009-05-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

This is our front yard... No we don't have a pond!!! It has rained so much... We are tired of it... go away rain..

School reading fair!!

2009-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

We found out a month ago that 1st-3rd graders got to do this book fair for school... similar to a science fair but it is a book fair! I knew Emma Grace would get excited I just didn't know how excited... I took her to the bookstore downtown.. When I say we stayed an hour, we stayed an hour. She had to find the MOST PERFECT BOOK... This girl is so serious in studying, reading, picking out a toy, playing tee ball, artwork, I mean serious.. She looks at it all, and absorbs it!! For everyone who knows me, knows she didn't get this from me! When it came to homework, schoolwork, anything, I still will try to squeeze by, just get it done, don't study it.... I think she gets this from her Den-Den and her daddy!!

I tried to make it exciting for her, telling her she would get to bring her book to life...

Anyway, she picked out "How do Dinosaurs say Goodnight?" She had a ball collecting all her Dino's, accessories for her Dino's room... I promise when I say this was her project, her idea... everything.. She wrote, glued, stuffed the bedspreads and pillows with cotton, and placed each Dino in the correct spot...

Thanks to Beth for making her a t-rex t-shirt to wear for the fair... She was thrilled when I told her Beth had made her a shirt with a t-rex on it!!! She is my little girl, but my little tomboy!!!

This picture is her, getting all the final touches complete the day before!

Emma Grace in front of her project... She made a Dino window on her board.. The table is the Dino room... Good luck Emma Grace, she is getting judge right now!!

Here are some other boards from the contest... I took some pictures this morning..

Matthew's Big Day!!!

2009-04-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

We had Matthew's 5th Birthday party, Sunday!!! We invited everyone in his class and his other friends... It rained around 1:15, but by 2:00 it was a beautiful day.. We had a blow up slide and a blow up bouncy..

Anderson loved Matthew's tractors..

Bryant eating birthday cake.. I swear his parents don't let him eat anything with sugar so when his sister and him got a piece of cake it was all over.. I keep giving him more and more on his plate.. Sorry Lesley!!

The parents having fun...

Cake time!!

This is Bryant's twin.. Lucy Kate.. she had run out of cake, so she was licking her plate.. I promise..

After licking... Lesley feed this child!!

Proud Parents..

Aunt Grace and Anderson.. I think this is so cute...

Lesley in bouncy with Lucy Kate, Bryant, and birthday boy... Poor Bryant, He looks a little uncomfortable in this picture..

Matthew with his bud, Cruse..

Lucy Kate before the cake..

Lucy Kate and Me... I had so much fun with the twins...

Another hit with the cake.. Jackie Morgan "The Cake Lady", made his 18 wheeler cake.. It was so good!

Avery, Emma Grace, and Matthew getting ready to slide!

plus Nona... she is always sliding with her grandchildren..

plus Anderson... Anderson had a ball... We didn't hear one sound out of him yesterday.. He was the perfect baby...

Thanks Grandma Betty for this shirt... This is my high school, Canton Academy... Our best friend is the headmaster now.. Matthew said when he turned 5 he wanted to go to Canton Academy and be a panther... I have my cheerleading uniform and he loves to look at it.. He thinks it is cool his mother was a cheerleader... I bet it is so hard for a 5 year old to think about his mother once being young.. Anyway, Grandma Betty got him a panther shirt for his birthday!

The grandchildren together...

We took the family out to eat!!!

2009-04-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

This is very rare for us!! We went out to eat!! We try to avoid this situation as much as possible, because Anderson likes to scream and cry everywhere!!! He did okay at the Guad for Matthew's birthday.. He cried only once or twice maybe??? Doesn't he look sneaky in this photo??

Best Friends...

They sang Happy Birthday to Matthew...

Then the next night we went to eat with my dad and Mary Louise at the Lost Dog.. 2 nights in a row for us.. The lost dog is so GOOD.. Anderson did wonderful because they have a Volkswagen bus the kids can play in.. It has a tv inside- He loved it!!

Anderson's First Trip to the Dentist!!

2009-04-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

Emma and Matthew had a appointment to the Dentist, so I called and asked if Anderson could tag along now he has teeth.. They said of course, bring him!!! I wonder if their headaches have disappeared yet??? Full blast with screams.. We walk in the building he screams.. when he saw Dr. Smith he yelled so loud..

This picture is Anderson in Emma's lap and Matthew is holding his feet!!! It was truly a sight..
Victory, in his mind!!! He received his toothbrush... It's all over!!

He was actually having a good time in the waiting room playing with all the toys!!!

So this is so funny to me!! Anderson and Emma are so much alike.. They have the same nose, same eyes, same completion, same mouth, same hair... Everything.. They should be twins (but of course, they are not) anyway, when Emma had baby teeth she had an EXTRA one.. Yes, she had an extra tooth... Thanks Lesley for figuring out why her nose was not centered with her teeth!! (Leave it to Lesley, ha, ha) Guess who has an extra tooth in the same spot?? You got it- Anderson!! I just wish he acted like his big sister!!!

Excitement in the Shorts.. With all three kids at the dentist.. Not one had a cavity!!! I hope this continues!

And let the games begin...

2009-04-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

Anderson had a blast at Emma's first game... He loves outside.. Everyone was talking about how happy he was.. If only he could live outside.. Ha, Ha.. He loved the game!
He is trying to get in the dug out with his big sister Emma... It was so cute! He wanted to see her so bad!

Another view of him coming away from the dug out.. He was SO HAPPY!!!

Emma is the pitcher this year! Stressful for her mother... I'm not going to like it when people start yelling at her.. She did wonderful at the game.. She loves this sport!!

She made two doubles last night.. She is so serious!

Before the game, the coach had the players line up in order with the numbers on the back of the shirts.. Emma was the last one- Her coach is so much fun!!! They get in huddles and cheer and chant- They are having a blast.. It was cute watching them in the line walking in the dug out.. Great Job Coach Bubba!!! They lost last night 18-17, but that is okay because they really did have fun!!! Last year, we lost every game by 18-0.. ha, ha not really but close!!! It really is fun to watch these girls..

Happy Birthday Matthew!!

2009-04-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Today Matthew is 5!! These are the cookies he took to school! He loves 18 wheelers.. He wanted 18 wheelers cookies and 18 wheeler invitations, everything 18 wheelers!!! He is the sweetest thing.. He said his first word around 2 1/2 and hasn't stopped talking yet!! He is the biggest mommy boy and his best friend is his sister!!! He looks up to her so much...

Happy Birthday Matthew- Your daddy and I are truly blessed to have you!!

Easter Bunny!

2009-04-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here are my 3 miracles!!! and once again, Anderson has gotten into some Candy!!!
He probably thinks Easter is the best holiday ever!!

Hunting eggs the Easter bunny left!!

Early in the morning..

What did the Easter Bunny bring?? lots of goodies!!

Check out the slippers.. Journals.. Lots of fun stuff!!!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Shorts on Saturday.. Everytime we turned around Anderson had a mouth full of candy... I though this picture captured it all!! Look at those checks... He managed to open all the candy himself.. He probably ate a lot of the wrappers..

Getting ready to find out eggs.. It was so cold!!

Getting the eggs ready!!

Anderson wanted every egg in the green.. He keep pushing eggs on top of each other!

Easter Bonnets

2009-04-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Matthew's bonnet is safari... It had lions, tigers, elephants, trees.. he loved his hat.. he had to wear camo with it!
The Bling Bling girl... This was funny! The rabbit on top rapped.. So we went from there.. She wanted to bling bling.. She had jewelry on, the rabbit had it on.. She was all smiles!!!

The kindergarten and lower elementary make bonnets and parade through upper elementary, junior high, and high school.. they have a blast going through the high school.. Emma was looking so forward to showing her bonnet off to the older classes!! She looks up to so many of them! She wants them to think she is COOL!!!

3 Kids, Husband, Dog, School, House, Auction, Easter, Artwork, Supper on the table, T-Ball, YES... I'm still here!

2009-04-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it has been a while!!!! Wow.. Where do I begin? I know everyone is so busy, but wow I can't catch a break.. Ryan says it is all my fault.. I don't know how to say No.. but I have to stay busy, but I don't know if I want to stay this busy!!! It all started with the Italian Festival.. It hit me, wow I have lot coming up.. Here is my checklist.. (If you want to read this)

Italian Festival... Done and Over.. That was kinda hard!

Emma Grace.. Finished up Soccer, now it is tee ball.. She is still in tee ball by 20 days.. Yes, she is the oldest on her team.. She will be playing pitcher this year, and she is AWESOME at this position, but her mother is a nervous wreck.. The Pitcher is the one that gets yelled at from everyone in the stands, coaches, etc.. She makes and breaks the game.. Okay so she has practice all the time as well as her brother...

Matthew... Made Tee Ball by exactly 16 days.. So he is the smallest on the team.. Poor fellow, it's almost funny to watch him try to play.. He really is trying so hard, and he loves it.. I just don't know, because he seems to be the smallest and the youngest.. Oh well, we will see- He is in love with tee-ball.. But he has lots of practices.. So I'm either at his sister's practice with all three kids, leaving her there by herself, dropping Matthew off by himself, picking up Emma, back to Matthew- you see where I'm going with this..

Tee-Ball games start Monday night.. Emma and Matthew have two games that over lack so I'm lucky with this.. but this means I have about 4 games a week to attend with screaming Anderson!!!

And Anderson... Oh, Anderson- where do I start!!! He has been a trooper! But He has started his screaming again, so much I just catch myself counting to myself, crying here and there.. begging for patience.. Ryan told me to take him back to the dr. and I squeezed that in yesterday.. His throat was very very red.. Probably strep.. but his ears looked wonderful.. 2 thumps up.... but he is still screaming and not a pleasure to be around!! He needs his own blog story!

Bayou Academy.. I love this school, I really do!! I was asked to chair the biggest fundraiser for our school, and that was Saturday night... I'm still not recovered... Glenda, Laura Lee, and I worked on this from Monday-Friday getting items, doing paperwork, etc.. Friday night a crew of us stayed at crawdad's to get ready, All day Saturday a crew of us worked, Saturday the event is happening.. I have the best volunteers to help, Check out, Clean Up, Washing tableclothes, returning everything, Paper Work and Paper Work... good news for the school, it looks like we raised 35,000 to 40,000 more than last year!!! I hope so, because I'm exhausted.. It was LOTS OF HARD WORK!!!

Church... The morning after auction I was chair of Easter Egg hunt at the Church... You know how many kids are running hunting eggs... Thanks to Kerri Mosco for helping and doing most of the work, because I couldn't do much!!!

Easter Egg hunt for the school... We have to have easter bonnets, easter eggs, easter egg hunts.. Guess what, 4K easter egg hunt is at my house today!!! This was easy though.. We just hid the eggs this morning and they came over for picnic and a hunt! Emma's is at school at 1:00, so I'm heading out the door for that...

Crosstie... When do I have time to paint??? when?? There is not enough time in the day!! Crosstie is in 2 weeks.. oh my..I do have some cool paintings to post whenever I find time to snap a couple pictures of them!

Birthday Party.. Matthew's Birthday is the 14th.. Guess what, party at my house, day after crosstie..

Supper... I'm burning everything.. I need to hire a chief...

Lucky the dog.. Got sprayed by a skunk.. Stinks, the family bathed him last night..

Diabetic.. Most of you know I have diabetes.. Well, I'm trying to get the pump.. which means many dr. visits to Jackson.. Yes, I drive there quickly, turn around drive back.. maybe one day this will happen!

Okay, so this was my therapy!!! Thank you very much!! I hope this blog didn't bore you to bad... It made me feel so much better to have a pitty party!!!

My NeW aRt SiTe!

2009-03-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

I'm working on getting my own art site set up right now.. I have a couple things posted but it is still under construction! check it out

heatherdunningshortartwork.blogspot.com

I hope you see something you like!!! Let me know-

working hard

2009-03-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

I believe this is one of my favorite abstract pieces I have done!!! I love the colors and everything about it!! It looks wonderful in person! I have a frame to frame and it looks even better with the frame.. I'll try to post it after it is done!

I love these colors also!! This is so much fun!

This is one is wonderful!! and it looks so good in the frame.. I couldn't wait to share with you so I posted them before the frame! Sorry, I'm just in love with these!

This is fun also!

Now this is my favorite I must say! My first guitar to do.. It is 24x36 and it is FUN!!! I think I'm going to paint some more of these!!! How much fun-

iTaLiAn FeStIvAl 2009

2009-03-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is the Mosco's booth... So cute!! Kim Buerhing has been painting all week long (Non Stop) on the back board... Each section represents each family! So cute and creative!! Great job Mosco Family!
This is the Fioranelli's booth.. They worked really hard this year, and I'm sure they will have a blast in their family booth!

The Aguzzi's always look so nice and elegant! They are true Italians.. They celebrate Italian Festival in style!!

This is the Gainspoletti's.. They will have a full booth of people having a blast!! Thanks for letting us share your back wall.

This is our booth- BEFORE- we started decorating!!!! You can transform anything and this picture proves just that!

Kellar and Emma Grace having a blast at the Italian festival. They have been the best of friends since 3K.. Still going strong!

I would spell every one's name, but that would be impossible... Priest from Shaw, Sammye Ann, and Ryan!

Having a good time in the Italian Hand Me Down Booth!!

Our Brooke, sitting down and relaxing... She is pregnant!

Our VIP tent... this is where the judges come in and taste test our food!! Good luck Hand Me Downs!!

The entrance to our booth!!! We love it..

Another view of our booth..

Our VIP tent.. ha, ha

I hope you like it!!! We have had a blast.. One night left.. Saturday night! Wish me luck I'm taking all three kids tonight!

Lana's Baby Nursery

2009-03-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share Addison Claire's nursery... Addison Claire was born yesterday (Monday morning) I think the painting looks wonderful in the room... Congrats Lana and thanks for letting me paint the picture for your nursery!

Working So Hard!!!

2009-03-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

This is one of the two art projects I am doing with the first grade class for the school auction... It is going to be fingerprints for the leaves??? Cute, come bid on it, I will post the two pictures when I finished with it!!! The auction is April 4 and I am going today to paint with the 1st graders.. wish me luck!! The other picture is huge and 22 hands are going to be everywhere!!!

These next pictures are for an art show downtown for bright beginnings... It is a miniature show, pieces cannot be larger than 12x12.. Last year I entered whimsical paintings.. This year I have a whole new look! I hope they sell.. I'm going to take them today to get framed.. Hopefully it will make them nicer?? Tell me what you think..

I love these small canvas'... they are just adorable... very thick sides, and very thick paint.. These look wonderful!! I can see all 6 mixed together on a wall!! I think I'm going to frame the bigger ones?? and leave the small ones not framed?? I'll let you know..

Also, I'm still working on crosstie... Beth Crowe and I are going to have a booth so stop by.. Her tshirts are so cute!!!

Emma Studying Mississippi!

2009-03-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Emma's first grade class traveled to Tunica to help them learn about Mississippi. They have been studying Mississippi so the Tunica Museum helped them learn more. It was very educational and Emma enjoyed every moment. She really loved looking at everything..
It was a fun field trip for parents also!! We got to eat on the Tunica Queen and tour the museum. Sammye Ann retired Saturday, so she went with us... Hope you enjoy the photos..
The class on the Tunica Queen!! Emma has the best teacher, Mrs. Emily!!! All the kids love her!!

Emma studying the river...

On top of the boat, enjoying the ride!!

Mary Claire, Kaitlyn, and Emma Grace!!! All Smiles!

Sammye Ann enjoying retirement!!! Emma Grace was so happy to have her nona on her trip!

Car Ride to Tunica!!!

Kaitlyn dancing on the boat ride!!! This girl is going to make it to Hollywood!!!! She is an entertainer!

Children's Benefit Ball 2009

2009-03-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

This was the entrance to Children's Benefit Ball 2009.. It was very beautiful!!! It was a very strange year for because for the past 6 years I have been in ja and seriously involved with the Benefit Ball... I have been a past chairman a couple of times, in charge of decorations, etc.. this year I walked in the night of, I felt almost "out of place" because I didn't have any job responsibilities... STRANGE, most people look forward to getting out of a 6 year commitment, but honestly I think I miss it!!! Junior Auxiliary is a wonderful organization in Cleveland!!! I meet most of my Cleveland friends through JA, and i miss going into the special ed classrooms monthly!! And the funny thing.. My name was still listed in the program as a active member, so maybe they miss me???

Stephanie Lusk and Me!! It got a little cold so I put Ryan's jacket on..

Can you hear me now??? It is the cellphone tower commercial...

Ryan and Will....

Maggio and me...

We finally got dressed... We didn't have electricity until 5:50... We were suppose to meet people at 6:30.. That brought us a big challenge!!! More Country LIfe!!!

Biddy Basketball

2009-02-26T19:05:00.000-08:00

Our School had Biddy Basketball tonight... For you that do not know about this, you are missing some entertainment! 3k vs 3k, 4k vs 4k, 5k vs 5k, etc... in BASKETBALL!!! Yes, it is so funny!!

Matthew really could care less, more worried about which pair of new shorts he would be wearing! But he did good! Notice him in the red shorts!!!
Emma on the other hand!!! I think tonight confirmed we have a competitive tom-boy on our hands! During the 5K game, she was at half court on the visitors side (not on court) but our stands could see her, she was warming up.. I promise (by herself)- Dribbling the ball in between her legs, dribbling down the side of the court, moving the ball around, several people got my attention during her warm up game and said where does she get this attitude from.. ha, please she is a Short! The game begins.. are we playing football?? She made 2 baskets and I thought she as going to tackle some boys for the ball! She was very competitive... Several people stopped me after the game and said, Heather you have a tom-boy, not a little girl!!!!

She even rebounded the ball several times! After I took this photo, she got the ball away from these three guys and made a basket!!! AMAZING!!!

Matthew is hanging out with his friends, before his game!!

And here it is framed!

2009-02-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't framed a picture yet, just because... well I decided to take my cotton picture and have it framed!! I just love it!!! I think I might donate this one??? I'm still unsure!

Fingertip Cotton

2009-02-25T13:35:00.000-08:00

Here it is.. my lastest painting! This is 24x18... I"m in love with it, I really can't believe I did this... I painted a lot of it with my fingertips... I hope you like it!! I might donate it to auction off at the Bayou Academy Spring Auction! ??? or I might sell it to you!

Cleveland Junior Auxiliary Children's Benefit Ball Auction Item

2009-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

UPDATE- These sold for $175 and I'm so honored...Wow, I'm floored... It gave me a boost of confidence!!! They really did look so good... The picture on the blog doesn't do justice!!

I painted these two pictures for a donation to the JA Children's Benefit Ball... It is this weekend! Something different than what I usually donate, but I have tried to change my style of painting... They have a lot of texture and lots of color! I hope someone buys them.. If not, I can always just hang them on my house!!!
2-16x20 canvas boards... Ready to hang on someone's wall!!!

Just some fun...

2009-02-24T12:08:00.000-08:00

The McArthurs come to visit!!

2009-02-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday William!!! We all got together and ate at Airport Grocery to celebrate William turning 9!!!
Carrie is so precious!!!

Christine... Wow we have missed her!!! I'm sad she has moved away..She moved around 4 years ago to Georgia. We had a WONDERFUL visit!!! Next time, let's not wait 3 years to see each other!!! I felt like my sister had come to visit... It doesn't matter how long she has been gone, we pick right back up where we left.

Anderson had fun with all the kids! He had a great week, feeling so good... Guess what, he woke up sick this morning! I don't know what I'm going to do with him.

The Boys...

The girls are all together again!

Christine and Ryan!!!

We all say these two look alike!

Anderson and Kate! Kate is amy's grandbaby... She is so cute!

Bailey, Anderson, and Me!!!

Kate is all smiles!! She is so CUTE!!!

Bailey and Kate!

Lucky and the kids!

2009-02-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

We love having Lucky! This is really the first time Anderson has gotten to play with him... and he is having a ball! Lucky is a fan of Anderson, he just licks all over him! Probably has nothing to do with the snot coming out of his nose???

Soccer!!!

2009-02-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Soccer has officially started for Emma Grace! Her first game was today! She was a lot better this year... Last year we picked clover out of the grass, this year we actually kicked the soccer ball!

This is Emma before the game! She loves her new uniform...
Nona came to the game, I loved this picture I took of her with Anderson! Happy
Birthday Nona!!!

Emma in action!!! GO EMMA!!

Emma and Mary Claire posing after the game! Mary Claire's team beat Emma's team, but it really doesn't matter because they had so much fun!!! Emma didn't mind at all... She is always on the losing team, she has gotten used to it!
Emma's biggest fan! Matthew was so excited to tackle her after the game! They love each other so much!! I love this!

Girls Weekend!

2009-02-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

Here we are on Beale Street!!! We had a blast!!! We had a wonderful time, everyone deserves a break from reality!! Mary Beth is taking the photo so you can't see her! I was very impressed at how clean downtown Memphis was, I had never heard great things about downtown, but now I am in love! We stayed at a wonderful hotel!! We had 5 star treatment!!! Looking forward to the next trip... maybe next time we will let Amy sleep late!! Ha, Ha I doubt it!

New Paintings!

2009-02-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

I'm getting ready to participate in an art show at the warehouse... for bright beginnings so I am trying to paint as much as I can! Also, Beth and I are going to try to have a booth at Crosstie so I'm trying to paint as much as I can so I can make some extra money!! I hope you like my new art work below!! Let me know what you think!

Ryan is going to frame some of my work, so we can make more money!!! Go Ryan!!!

Eating with the Family Saturday Night!

2009-01-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

After the spend the night party, we got together as a family to celebrate Emma's Birthday! We do this for everyone in the family!!!

Here is a photo of Anderson wrestling with Matthew! He loves to do this... Whenever he is screaming (all the time), someone gets on the ground and lets him climb all over them.. this seems to calm him!
My dad (Papa), Ryan's dad (Den-Den), and Anderson!

Emma in her Hannah Montana outfit she got from one of her friends.. I'm loving her turning into a little girl!!! She keep this outfit on all night!! Avery is in the background watching Emma's every move!

Emma playing her ds game, Avery with the rest of Emma's Hannah Montana outfit on!

So it's Sunday, and I'm tired!!! Anderson is sleeping right now, and Ryan is heading out the door with the other two heading towards the bowling alley! Go Dad of the year!

Home Sweet Home!

2009-01-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from Emma's 7th Birthday party! It was really fun, Really! The girls behaved really good and believe it or not didn't leave a big mess! PROMISE!!! I am tired though... Ryan did such a wonderful job! And a special THANK YOU to my wonderful friends that volunteered to dress up and help with the party!!! I hope you enjoy the photos!!! I love hosting parties!

The cake was so cute!!! Thanks Jackie for making it!!!

Emma wanted to dress up like Dorothy for her party... She is going to be just like me, into all the details, etc!! She helped me plan everything! She came up with the Wizard of Oz theme and helped us come up with games and plans... I love this little girl!!!

So when the little girls arrived they arrived to a yellow brick road! Emma had to have a yellow brick road to her playroom!!! I had a little broom for each girl with their name on it! It was just a small floral broom that people decorate the inside of their houses with! I got it from the dollar store! The girls loved them!

My sweet friend Lesley dressed up like a munchkin... Lesley helped me so much that night with the games!!! She was a true trooper!! One day soon she is going to have these kind of birthday parties, even BIGGER!! She loves to plan a party also!!

Here we are!!! The Good Witch, Beth the Tin Man, and Lesley the munchkin- Can you believe we dressed up??? Anything for sweet Emma!!! Can you feel the love???

We played lots of games... Red Hot Shoe (like hot potato) and I had wizard of music playing... Musical Chairs, Find the missing Red Shoe, and more!

Beth, the tin man, trying to enjoy a piece of the cake! She made me laugh!!! Not many friends would do this, goodness I love my friends!!

I had painted on a canvas a picture of an tin man to play pin the heart on the tin man, we didn't have to use that because we had Beth, the tin man! We played pin the heart on the tin man!!

Our other friend made a grand appearance... Mary Beth the bad witch! The kids used their brooms and attacked her! she was a SPORT!!! She got attacked by 13 girls with brooms!! After she got attacked the kids were playing upstairs and the bad witch took the presents and hide them and left a note, "Emma Grace, try to have a fun party now, I have taken toto and your presents" The kids had fun trying to find the presents! We put them in the back of Ryan's truck! It was so funny!

Lesley, the Munchkin!!

Pillow fight time!!! Can you see Ryan in the middle of them???

Watching the Wizard of Oz and having some popcorn!

Around 11:30 Emma Grace came up to me and said, "Can you take everyone home, I'm sleepy!" Matthew and Emma are serious when it comes to bedtime! We got everyone to lay down around 12:00. I had one sleep walker trying to get in everyone sleeping bags around 3:30! Other than that, we all woke up around 6:30 and ate pancakes Ryan made!! When the last child left at 9:00, she wasn't even out the door good, Emma leaned back in her chair and I promise this is what she said, "Home Sweet Home", Ryan and I started laughing so hard!!!

For the goody bags the kids got... a basket, tin man hat, heart necklace, doctarate of thankology for having the brains to come to emma's birthday party, cd of wizard of oz soundtrack, toto in a small basket, and candy! I hope the little girls enjoy their baskets!

Emma takes cookies to school for her birthday!

2009-01-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

Emma is all about themes for her birthday parties... Everyone needs a theme right? She loves to go all with the themes... For school on Thursday we took cookies for her classmates... Ruby red slipper shoes and 7 for 7 years old!!! Wizard of Oz was the theme for the whole weekend...

Cookie Monster is 16 months old...

2009-01-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I was getting ready for 5 family members to come spend the night I baked some cookies. I put them on the island, like always... I cook cookies almost every day for the kids,ryan, and/or company.. Always good to have cookies handy for guest! Anyway, I went to put some clothes in washing machine, switch some clothes to the dryer, make one last loop around the house to pick up last minute stuff, etc... I came back and Anderson has a cookie in his hand standing at the back door with cookie fingermarks all over the glass door, I make a turn to look in the kitchen and there are several cookies and cookie crumbs all over the floor in the kitchen and living room! Yes my little man made his way up on the stool, gathered most of the cookies on the plate, dropped a couple (lots) on the floor, ate so many his face was covered in chocolate, the door was covered in hand prints, so now I had no cookies for my company!!! Not to worry, Heather cleaned up everything made some more and put them back on the plate... So after our company came we were putting puzzles together, Addie went to check on Anderson.. where did she find him... Here he is.. Hungry again for his mom's cookies!! I think I need to find a different spot to put the cookies!

Family Fun

2009-01-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

My dad got inducted into the Hall of Fame in December. The Cleveland Country Club had a ceremony for him last night and the family came into town. It is always so much fun to get together!

Addie and Matthew watching Annie!!!

You can't see Aunt Connie, but her, Anderson and Emma are singing along with Annie!

Addie loving my kids!!! She is the best cousin! I wish she went to Delta State so we could see her all the time!!!

Aunt Fran brought puzzles.... One was easy but the other was a little difficult... It took all afternoon to put that thing together! The box said 6 year old plus... wow, we all participated!

I found Uncle Buster and Anderson in the toy closet!!!! I love this picture!!!! Uncle Buster's name is Buster Anderson, and he is with Anderson... so cool!!!

My dad with Mary Louise and his two sisters... Connie and Fran! The club did a fantastic job hosting this ceremony. It really was wonderful! He was so honored and proud!

The family picture!!! Oh, Ryan played golf yesterday with my dad for the first time. Pretty funny but I think he might like it now.. We will see??? Ryan had a blast playing with everyone.

It was a prom moment for me!

2009-01-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

Emma got invited to a "Fancy Nancy" birthday party. If you know Emma Grace, you know there is nothing about her Fancy!!! She is the TOMBOY in the class and it is so okay with me!!! She would rather play with transformers than baby dolls! The girl doesn't have a baby doll, she refuses to play with one... Anyway, when she got the invitation she asked, what kinda of party is that, did she have to dress up, why would ??? pick that party... Lots of questions.. she was really worried about the party. Well I went to her favorite store, WALMART, and found this cute dress on the clearance rack, I thought maybe it would make her happy and excited, not really.. I got a shrug of the shoulders, oh well! The morning came and I told her it was time to get ready. We went upstairs and started to curl her hair, she started showing a lot of interest.. Then we got her dressed, she is starting to smile even more, when I went to my room to get her some necklaces out of my drawer she was smiling from ear to ear!!!! It made her so excited to be dressed up! She couldn't wait to go downstairs to show her daddy! As she was going down the stairs to show her daddy, I started tearing up thinking PROM will be here before we know it! She was so happy!

Pots and Pans, Really!

2009-01-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

For you that have been lucky to meet lucky, you know just how sweet he is! He is the sweetest dog that never barks, doesn't jump on you, pretty much leaves you along, as long as you don't mess with Emma.. He loves Emma and I think he would fight for her!!! Last night I knew something was wrong with him when he started barking around 2:00... I woke Ryan up from his deep sleep, and he literally tells me it is the heat coming on and I'm hearing things, and then later he tells me that is not Lucky's bark.. Please, how does he know what Lucky's bark sounds like.. The dog never barks! Our bedroom window is on back porch and that is where Lucky sleeps! So I get up and look out the windows and I don't see anything, so I lay back down, just about to fall asleep, and I hear something again, but no bark! Ryan insists it is the heat... ha, ha!!! Guess What it is not the heat!!! All the sudden I hear Lucky make a loud cry, start barking, and I hear his dog house hit the house! yes, I could tell it was his dog house going a small way across the patio and then it hit the house! Ryan heard that FINALLY! He sat up in the bed and said, WHAT THE ????. So I rush through the bedroom, into living room, cut on the light on the back porch, really scared to death of what I was going to see... Can you believe there were 4 coyotes on my back porch! 4!!! What was so funny about the situation, I go to cut off the alarm and Ryan gets pots and pans and goes outside beating them! Yes, do you know how cold it is outside??? Pots and Pans?? Really, come on!!! But Ryan saved the night and Lucky with his pots and pans! He made the coyotes go away! Lucky then was moved to the garage!! He was shaking so hard and so scared! I am glad he is okay. Ryan is lucky's hero!!!

A mother always knows when something isn't right, and I knew last night my favorite 4 legged friend needed help! I really can't believe I saw coyotes close up, I must say it is very interesting living in the country!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-01-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe my little girl is in first grade! This picture is when she started 3K... her first day... she had stayed home with me all summer and didn't understand why she had to leave and start school! I love this photo!

I haven't been updating my blog because I have been working hard at the school getting ready for Open House... Open House is where we invite prospective parents and kids come to see the school! I love to show our school off, because I just love BAYOU!!!

Looking at this picture, it looks like Emma doesn't like school.. Emma and Matthew get up each and everyday excited about going to school... they jump out of my car with their backpacks on, and head towards the doors of the school! They can't wait to tell me every afternoon what they have learned! I hope you enjoy this precious picture that could never be replaced!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-01-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Last year we celebrated Emma Grace's birthday at Walt Disney World... So much fun!!!! I'm sad we are not going back this year! This year she wanted me to take 6 of her friends to Memphis to spend the night in a hotel.. ha, ha that is so funny to me! So now she has talked me into having a spend the night party.. get this, with 13 girls!!!! I think I need to check myself in the hospital, I wonder if my insurance will cover craziness??? Walt Disney is sounding so good to me right now!!! She wants to have a wizard of oz party also, so we are going to watch wizard of oz, play different games, roast hot dogs, and she wants me and her daddy to dress up! It will be funny!!! I'll post on it after it happens!

Christmas Caroling Trailor in my way!

2009-01-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

During the holidays I loaded the kids up in the car and told them we were going to Walmart to spend their gift cards... They were so excited and looking so forward to it. As I loaded them in the car and I put my car in reverse my phone rang, it was Ryan thank goodness... As I answered the phone, I started going backwards and then my car made several beeping noises and then bang... Yes I hit the christmas carol trailor that was parked in my driveway! It was pretty bad.. Matthew then screamed saying, now we can't go to walmart! I told him we would go after we went to Daddy's work... he was more than relieved!

I got out and kicked my bumper back in, drove to Ryan and David's clinic. This is a picture after David got under my car and knock out the big dent. Ryan came home and knock out this small dent... And then I painted my bumper!!!! You can hardle tell now that I ran into the trailor!

Our Family Tree...

2008-12-30T18:44:00.000-08:00

I have been looking at this huge spot above the tv in the playroom trying to get motivated to paint something for this particular area!!!! It hit me yesterday and this is what I came up with.. It is on a 30x40 canvas, our family tree! I'm so proud of it, I just love it!!! For the leaves it has our hand prints, minus Ryan's, since he is at our school right now painting the cafe', I'll grab him sometime and paint his hand prints... I hope you enjoy it! If you like it, I can make one for you... We can take off the hand prints and just put names and dates, and/or do hand prints... We can also change the background to whatever you like!!! If I sold one like this I would probably charge $90-$100... It is a big board and it took awhile! But I think it is so worth it! I just love my family tree! Let me know what you think!

Heather is asking for your help and prayers for John Matthew!

2008-12-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

I let Amy Maggio talk me into joining facebook, and I have reconnected with a lot of family and friends from my hometown and college. I have been overloaded with emotions from my Uncle Buster's niece and her family. There is so much going on, and I didn't even know...

We go on with life everyday and take so much for granted. Ryan and I had a very interesting college life with all the incidents we went through, and I always answered people with the statement, we can get through this because there are so many people less fortunate than us... Well I have reconnected with Mandy and I feel so lucky right now to have the life I have. I am so fortunate to have 3 healthy children, I just can't look at them enough and be so thankful!

I ask each of you to read about Mandy, Matt, John Matthew, and Adee at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnmatthewdavis their story will blow you away. John Matthew has a rare disease and I am pledging to this family to help them. Your children are not suppose to be sick and this little boy is. It is not fair!!!

I will be selling their cookbook they have put together. It is 899 family recipes for $28! That is a bargain if you ask me. So I challenge all of my friends and family to purchase one, donate to this family, pray for this family and lets help little John Matthew! Please read about him, look at his cute pictures! Mandy is now 6 months pregnant trying to take care of her sick little boy, raise a cute little girl, and be a wife. She had to quit her job, and they have one income!

I have been so touched, please join me and help! Let me know by email at heathershort@wildblue.net if you would like to purchase a cookbook. Come on friends, don't let me down, don't let John Matthew down...

The Buchanans come to visit!

2008-12-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

I love my aunt Connie!!!! Her husband Trey, is Anderson's Godfather!!! They came to town on Saturday to visit us... Her daughter Addie, came with them.. She is a junior at Ole Miss and I can't believe she is 21.. I remember when she was Anderson's age! Time just flies by..

We went to Airport Grocery to eat supper... Anderson was giving Addie big time trouble.. She was trying so hard to keep him happy while we were waiting on the ticket.. I was laughing so hard I had to snap these photos... Yes, this is her natural color hair! Everywhere we went yesterday around town people were stopping us and asking what color bottle she used.. She is so pretty!

Here they are at lunch!!! When we got back from shopping, Connie asked Matthew what he had been doing... His answer... waiting on you to get back! It was so funny...

Thanks for coming to visit! We had a great time!

A busy week... Christmas

2008-12-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

We started this week on Sunday... We drove to Jackson to have Christmas with Dee-Dee (my mom), Uncle Richard, Grandma Betty, Regina, Denman, Claire, Abbey, and Jack. Here we are in Grandma Betty's living room! The kids acted excellent.. They had a blast! I love seeing Christmas through their eyes!On the way back Anderson fell asleep but when we went through Yazoo City he woke up. He was all smiles and so Happy! I had to snap this photo of him riding back! He laughed and giggled the whole way home... Just precious!!

Emma and Matthew are always troopers in the car! I think they could ride to Canada with no problems. They love to ride! I always pack snacks for them to eat so they love to be on the go!

Ryan is driving the short bus... notice he is wearing my sunglasses.. ha, ha

Monday night we went caroling! So Tuesday night we were off for Christmas with my dad and Mary Louise! We went to Crawdad's to eat and then we went to their house for sugar free cheesecake and presents! Ryan and I got a fire pit and a night at the Peabody!! They are going to keep the kids for the weekend we go! My dad had typed up this cute little card with peabody pictures on it, and saying they will be waiting for the kids! Ryan looked at me and said he sees where I get all my creative side from!

Here is a picture of all three of them looking in a box of presents.

Matthew opening his 18 wheeler he begged for!

She was so thrilled to finally get her DS game... We went to Walmart that night to let her pick out a game with her $25 gift card they got her. It brought back so many memories of getting the perfect present when I was kid. She was so thrilled and excited I almost cried. She stayed up playing the game that night.

Matthew and Emma loving to pose in front of the tree! Anderson of course trying to take down the tree!

Wednesday night, was at Nona and Den-Den's... Talk about a kid's dream.. Look at these presents!

Anderson's loves this tractor! He rides on it all day long at my house. Nona did a great job when she picked it out.

We call Anderson the vacuum cleaner! This picture proves just that.. Yes, he is eating his present.
This is Matthew's new expression.. Don't know why, but he is starting to make this face! He is buried in presents.

Emma got twister for Christmas... It looks like Den-Den and Nona are having a blast checking out how it works.. They are so funny!Santa has arrived at our house! I can finally breath tonight because I can see my floors.. This stuff was everywhere! Ryan keeps telling me to let it be, let them play but it has been so hard! Look at this stuff! Three kids...

Matthew now wants to be a policeman when he grows up.. He has gone from pizza man, Jesus (yes, he wanted to be Jesus), fireman (but scared of death of firetrucks), garbage man, workerman, Mr. Raymond (our neighbor) to policeman... What will be next??? I can only imagine..

Cleaning out the stockings..

I loved this game when I was little!! Emma was so excited to see this!

I think this picture says it all! She was so happy and overjoyed! This was the best year yet! I love being a mother... I couldn't ask for 3 better kids!!!

Christmas Caroling 2008- It was Cold!!!

2008-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

Here is Rimmer and Matthew having a blast on the trailer!!! They were laughing at each other, it was so cute!
Matthew posing for the camera!

Matthew really thinking about his hot coco...

We sang to Mrs. Betty Thigpen, she had a lovely time!!! She was very appreciative...

Matthew and Cruise took a nap on the trailer ride! Matthew had his head lying on the trailer sleeping...

Ryan and Heather freezing!!! Riding down the road in the trailer... I had about 4 layers of clothes on, hand warmer bags stuffed down my pants, boots, shirts...

What would Christmas caroling be if it was hot??? Perfect weather considering it is raining today!

Capturing a pose with my boy!

Our song leader!!! She does a wonderful job doing this!

Rimmer and Lacey freezing...

Kim and Mary Claire trying to keep warm... Rodney was co-pilot with Dennis this year! They were lucky and warm!

The Crews family! Such troopers!!!

Rimmer and Jason... You can't really see Rimmer in this photo!

Kids roasting hot dogs before the ride and after...

Regina and Johnny Pitts before the caroling began...

Gracie looking adorable as ever... Many layers of clothes..

Brooke and I on trailer freezing!

My girl and I... Emma was such a trooper.. she was singing so loud! I think she understands this year who and why we are singing to the people we are singing to...

Our Song Leader, Sammye Ann with Mrs. Lindsey... Mrs. Lindsey was singing and dancing with all of us! We truly made a difference to the people we sang to.. They smiled for a little while!

Mary Claire and Emma Grace having a blast all snuggled up together!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!! I also want you to think of others on this special day. The holidays are not always so bright for everyone! To everyone that has had a bad year or is alone on this special day, I wish you a Merry Christmas.. We will be praying and thinking of you. I hope we touched some people last night as we went caroling in the freezing weather.. It was so worth it when people cried,as I went to ring the doorbell, people danced, and offered us candy out of their candy bowl, and sang along! We made many memories last night for us, our kids, and the people we sang too.. It might have been cold but it was so worth it!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

A true picture of the Candy Buffet

2008-12-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

Below I did pictures of Candy Land for the first grade... Well as you can tell my photo of the Candy Buffet did not do it justice!!!

Thanks Kim Martin for a true picture of the Candy Buffet! The first graders had a blast!!!

Sammye Ann's Card Holder!

2008-12-18T17:30:00.000-08:00

I hope Sammye Ann likes her card holder I made her! I just need to make contact with her to give it to her... I have had it for around 2 weeks now! Maybe she'll get some use out of it! Ha, Ha

Candy Land!

2008-12-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

School is out for Christmas!!!! Emma's teacher asked me to be in charge of the 1st grade Christmas party!!! I love to throw a party!!! I asked her if she had any ideas for a theme, and she said what about Candy Land!!! So Candy Land we played!!! I don't think she meant like a life size Candy Land game, but we surprised her and the kids! Yes, we played life size Candy Land! It was so much fun... When we had the kids lined up in the hall to come into cafe, one kid looked in and yelled, "Oh My God".... They were so excited!!!!! We couldn't have done it without all the helpers of parents!!! Here is how we played!!!

The kids got stockings in the room with a card inside telling them where to go in the game.. We had Peppermint Forest, Licorice Forest, Gum Drop Pass, Lollipop Pass, Chocolate Swamp, Gamma Nut, Candy Castle, and the Candy Buffet was the last stop for the kids to fill the stockings.. We had a trail of different colors the kids followed.. It was very educational to, because they had to read where to go and match colors with the words, etc..

Here is Emma at the Chocolate Swamp.. They dipped pretzels in chocolate and decorated them with sprinkles! Notice I got vest for all the parents to wear at the station!!

Mary Claire at Gamma Nut's... Who can eat the Peanut Butter the fastest off the spoon?

Getting the 1st clue outside the cafe'...

What the kids saw, as they were entering Candy Land!!!

Peppermint Forest, they decorated Sugar Cookies red and white, and drank juice!

Candy Castle... we played Musical Colors... instead of a cake walk they got candy canes if they landed on the right color drawn!!

The Candy Buffet had so much Candy... This is a small picture! It went on and on...

Licorice Forest... We made bracelets with Fruit Loops and Licorice!

Oh Robert, he had a blast!!!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2008-12-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is my mother in law, Sammye Ann. Last year, we started Christmas Caroling for people that had a rough year by either getting diagnosed with an illness or lost a loved one. We often forget that the holidays can be real rough on some people, and the holidays are not always a wonderful time of the year. So we wanted to start spreading the cheer for the holiday. I received lots of letters from the people we sang to talking about how we touched their lives... So we are back on again this year...

We eat at my house, sign Christmas cards and load up in a trailer and go sing! My mother in law is in charge of leading us in song! I captured this picture last year of her guiding us through the music!!!! Isn't she funny??? She takes her job of song leader very serious!!!

Great News for Me!!

2008-12-15T17:19:00.000-08:00

I sold a painting tonight! If you scroll down to my lastest art work, I sold the first picture of the crosses! I'm so excited and thrilled!!! My first serious picture, and not children or whimsical art work to sell! I'm so excited!!!

Making our Gingerbread House!

2008-12-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished product!!!

Ryan had fun helping us this year!!! His first gingerbread house to make with us! He had to help because last year it looked like a tornado hit ours... We needed him this year!

I see where Emma gets her train of thought... We couldn't even talk to him while he was building the house!!!

Christmas Program at Church!

2008-12-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed the Christmas Program at Church. We had the Adult Choir, Hand bell Choir, and the Children sing and act. It was so beautiful. I almost cried!!!!! Emma was a dove...
She is the dove in the middle! She loved singing, she is always paying such close attention to what is going on. She is the sweetest girl!!

Close up of the cutest dove ever!!!

After she sang, she got to come sit with Matthew and I. I let her and Matthew light their own candles this year! This was a big deal to both of them! I have to admit I was a nervous wreck! But they both did a wonderful job and they didn't burn anything..Thank goodness!!

Paying close attention!! Ryan was a usher, so I had both of them sitting beside me with fire!!! How scary!

Yesterday when we woke up I told Ryan it was going to be an DAY!!! He just laughed at me in his little voice and said whatever... I swear he thinks I'm crazy, but I have feelings a lot and they usually work out... So here goes...

First of all, I woke up first and had to wake Ryan up... that is BIG, he usually is dragging me out of the bed.

Second, We were about to get out the door for Church and Anderson had a bad stinky diaper! Bad!

Third, we were almost of the door and one of the buttons fell off Emma's dress! I quickly found a safety pin and pinned the button back on, and buttoned it up!!!

Fourth, we were in Church and Emma's other button fell off, Mary Louise had a safety pin for that one!

Fifth, the lady in front of me in the pew passed out, I was trying to get Ryan's attention and he was just not paying attention to me.. He finally listened and went to help her... Ended up the ambulance made a grand appearance in Church... The lady was right there in front of us! The kids were amazed by the ambulance, lights, and sirens, and this lady making these strange noises and getting rolled out in front of them. Church never missed a beat.. The ambulance made it to our Church in 7 minutes.

Sixth, Emma was getting an ornament I painted out of the car for her music teacher and guess what, IT BROKE!!! She dropped it in the parking lot!

Seven, Santa came for the Children's Christmas Party, and Anderson didn't want anything to do with him! He showed everyone how vocal he is!

and Eighth... My husband said, Heather just stop thinking bad things are going to happen, you are right it is going to be a strange day! When is he ever going to start listening to me????

Heather has been busy this weekend with art!

2008-12-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing and learning with this new technique of painting! I'm really excited and I have been trying to paint as much as I can... Here are the results! Let me know what you think.. I'm up for positive and negative.. I'll never get better at this unless you tell me what you think!

I painted this for Mary Louise for Christmas, don't tell her about it, it is a surprise... She has been asking me to paint her something abstract with these colors! If she doesn't like it, I can use it in my house!

I think this is my favorite... I needed a picture for one of my bathrooms and it is gold, brown, and red so I pulled all these colors together for this! I can't wait to hang it, but if someone wants to buy it, it is always for sale!!!

These crosses were fun! I really like doing crosses!

and where did this come from.. I think I was tired of all the abstract????

Another Story about Country Life!

2008-12-13T09:55:00.001-08:00

I was painting a picture yesterday, 5 minutes left until the Short Carpool was about to begin, and I heard the LOUDEST NOISE, I mean it was so loud!!!! and then I heard Lucky crying, I'm on the third floor painting and I heard all this! I was thinking a 18 wheeler just hit a pole outside or there was a wreck with an 18 wheeler outside my house, my dog was the reason or he is hurt??? A million things were going through my head on what I was about to see outside. Running down the stairs I am still hearing my dog outside crying! I get to the garage and see the dog trying to get under my car, he didn't look hurt, what is wrong! He immediately ran to me and he was guiding me outside the garage... it was so strange how he was showing me what was happening... I can't explain how he was guiding me but he really was. I was starting to hear something like an air pressure blowing thing but it was so loud. Lucky is guiding me and I see it! Yes, I am now seeing, smelling, and running from the problem, my dog is right beside me. Thank goodness I just put my phone in my pocket, b/c I was not going back into my house! Can you guess the problem???
My propane tank top flew off and white smoke was coming from it.... It was the loudest air pressure noise, I could hear it and smell it at my neighbors house??? Anyway, I have the gas company numbers programmed in my phone, thank goodness I call them they tell me to stay at home, don't go anywhere and don't touch it.. um, lets think about that one!!! I'm not 3, I'm sitting on my neighbor's fence b/c I'm scared to death! The gas company arrived in 7 minutes to fix the problem. Of course, now I'm late picking my kids up, and my friend Kim Martin took care of them, like always!! When is this country life going to get boring????
Oh, we lost 20% of our gas in our tank... I really can't explain to you how loud the noise was, and how loud the noise of gas shooting out, and seeing white smoke shooting out of your gas tank made me feel.... I'm thankful it was a beautiful day so I could sit outside, and I'm thankful my kids were not home yet! Anyway, the problem was... they filled my tank up that morning and they filled it up to much, so the pressure made the seal explode! Very Interesting!!!

What is this???

2008-12-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

While I was trying to get my children ready for the Christmas program tonight this 18 wheeler started backing up in my driveway! yes, Santa arrived early! So I had to tell the kids that mom and dad bought them a new swing set, so you know what that means! I just ordered it on Sunday and it is delivered on Thursday, AMAZING!!! Matthew loved seeing this in the driveway!

Christmas Program at School

2008-12-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had a wonderful Christmas program at the school! The kids did a great job singing and acting... Emma was a shepherd and she had a great time! I love this photo because after her play she ran up to her daddy and gave him the biggest hug! Daddy's Girl???? I wonder??
Emma with her friends.. Christopher, Emma, Mary Claire, and Sara Beth! Aren't they just so cute? Christopher and Emma matched... The fabric was found on the $1 rack at Walmart... Whatever would we do without Walmart?

My darling shepherd... She loved this costume... While I was making it she was so adorable, she said mom, you and park's mom can make anything... Park's mom is Mary Beth, my artist friend.. I got a warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing she thinks I could make her anything! It made me so happy to know she thinks like this!

2008-12-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of Matthew! He stayed in this outfit, and now it can fit Anderson! I need to get him another one, because he loves to dress up in all his superhero costumes still. I know one day he will not believe me when I tell he wore this to the grocery store, school, and every other errand I had to do!

Hall of Fame...

2008-12-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

This is my dad before his acceptance into the Hall of Fame. He was so nervous, I thought he might throw up at the table. This is my step mother, Mary Louise with him.

He did a great job on his speech. He had the whole room rolling in laughter! There were a lot of people from the Cleveland Country Club present and he tried to incorporate each one of them in his acceptance speech. He is a very funny and creative man.

This is a family photo minus Mary Louise... She had already caught a ride home with some people back to Cleveland when we took this photo. Starting at the right, is my aunt Connie and Uncle Trey, Aunt Nel, Grandmother Barbara, My dad, me, and Ryan! We were so proud of him!!

I'm going to cherish this picture forever. We do not have many pictures together!

Mr. Robbie Webb, Canton Country Club Golf Pro, inspired my dad to become a Golf Pro and he had the honor to introduce and present my dad into the Hall of Fame. He had my dad working on his golf course since he was around 11 years old.

Ryan and I at supper! I tried many different foods! He was laughing so hard at my different expressions! We also had many knives, forks, and spoons to choose from. Lucky for me, Mr. Pearman Smith was sitting beside me telling me which utensil to use. I would then tell Ryan, and then he would tell Nick.. It was so funny! Mr. Pearman is 73 and he has great manners. He even stood up when I got up to go to restroom and stood up when I sat back down. There is nothing like a 73 old Southern Mannered Man. I loved sitting beside him.

We were at the country club that Brett Favre is a member and he has a house on the course. Ryan was loving ever minute of it. I made him laugh by saying, "Brett could have eaten off that silverware before ryan, or he could have sat in your seat your sitting in" Ryan is a huge Favre fan.

Thanks Uncle Dan for keeping our kids and getting them to school on time!!! We had a great time!

Kim Martin....

2008-12-07T07:11:00.000-08:00

I painted this picture for Kim Martin's daughter, Mary Claire. Kim is a friend everyone would love to have! She is the BEST!!!!! If Anderson is sleeping and I just can't wake him up, she'll bring the kids home from school! If I'm not feeling well, she'll take the kids home with her... She would do anything for anybody... She never says anything bad about anybody, she has the most positive attitude ever... She is AWESOME and an AWESOME friend. She is the best 5K teacher ever.. She loves kids so much... I could never repay her for everything she has done for me and my family! I hope she like this picture, I should paint her a million more! I promise when Sonic reopens Kim, I'll get you a Sonic card, but until then, paintings will have to do!!! ha, ha!!

Thanks for being a wonderful friend! I love you, and have a Merry Christmas!

Willy Wonka in our house! Ha, Ha...

2008-12-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

Sunday is the big day for my dad!!! He is getting inducted in hall of fame for Gulf State Professional Golf Association.. so it is a big deal, right? I'm all nervous so I want to look my best!! Ha, Ha...

I went and purchased a new dress, new shoes, new handbag! When I was buying the dress, the salesperson said Heather you need to go get sprayed tanned! That sounds fun and easy, right?

umadobalumbadado... is Ryan's favorite saying for the weekend! When I came home after being sprayed tanned on Friday afternoon he started laughing so hard he almost cried! I don't know how to spell "Willy Wonka" workers that are orange, but I should put on a green wig and attend my dad's ceremony! This morning as I was in the shower ryan came in the bathroom and started laughing! Yes, I have to admit it is so funny! I told him I think I'm coming down with the flu, so I don't have to go! Just joking! I understand now why you have to spray a couple of days before your event! It has started to fade and now it just looks like ryan and I have been in Jamaica for a couple of days! Thank goodness!!! He wanted to take a picture of me, but I would not allow it! I tried so hard not to let anyone outside my house see my Friday night!

So tonight as Ryan is watching TV he busts out laughing... I come in the room to watch.. guess what, Willy Wonka was on!!! I'm not kidding! He is having so much with this!

Why can't I just accept I'm Casper the ghost!

Breakfast with Santa!

2008-12-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

Our School held "Breakfast with Santa" this morning. I loaded all three up and took off to let my little ones enjoy the breakfast! Ha, Anderson screamed and screamed with Santa... by the time you have the third you decide not to push Santa on the kid, but he didn't stop until we moved away from him... Emma and Matthew were wonderful of course, they just got in his lap, told him what they wanted and smiled! Sorry I didn't capture the picture myself, but Anderson was screaming in my arms!

The school also auctioned off trees! I was a nervous wreck watching my kids hang out and look at them. I was able to snap this photo of them looking at the toy tree and standing in front of the candy tree! The trees were so adorable... My hands were full with 3 jackets, camera, diaper bag, purse, and Anderson so I didn't get many pictures!!!

We all ate pancakes, colored, and wrote Santa a letter! It was a lot of fun, but a little stressful! It was a great crowd and a wonderful atmosphere, so it makes the stress worth it! Emma and Matthew had a great time, and I am proud to say my kids attend Bayou.

Update at the lake

2008-12-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

Here is the progress at the lake! It is unbelievable what Ryan's dad and brother can do in a week! We rode out there Friday afternoon to look, and it is so tall and big! Pictures really don't do it justice...
Can you see the two deer on the levee?? Emma and Matthew were screaming when they saw them!!!

Trying to decorate the tree with my helper!

2008-12-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

Anderson was having so much fun decorating the tree with me! He loves this stool, every time it comes out for something he makes the funniest noise and heads right to it! Ryan took this picture and it made him get off balance... he soon fell after the picture! But guess what, he got back up!